Purefoods Star and Talk n Text, among the PBA’s most riveting matchups, engage in another highly-anticipated battle, slugging it out in one side of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Final Four beginning Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

To many, it’s the matchup to watch in these PBA post-elims plays.

Purefoods coach Tim Cone calls it a whale of a series while Talk n Text coach Jong Uichico says it’s a playoff where every game is “must win.”

Game One is set at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

The two teams have provided a glimpse of the unfolding battle as they went through a triple-overtime grind in their elims tussle.

Denzel Bowles gave the Hotshots tremendous lift in the three extra periods as they outlasted the Tropang Texters, 118-117, in their elims faceoff last March 14 in Davao City.

The two teams have had other epic clashes, including the Finals of this tourney last year and the semifinals of the succeeding Governors’ Cup.

Purefoods prevailed on both occasions, making Talk n Text so eager to strike back at the Hotshots and get a shot at a first crown in six conferences.

The Texters have a combination of grizzled warriors and reliable young stars to pit against James Yap and company now.

“It’s a struggle to contain all of TnT’s weapons. That will be our challenge,” said Cone.

Cone insists it’s going to be tough but at the same time it should be fun. (SB)

]]>http://pba.inquirer.net/55678/tough-but-fun-slugfest/feed0GREAT TO BE ON WINNING END THIS TIMEhttp://pba.inquirer.net/55676/great-to-be-on-winning-end-this-time
http://pba.inquirer.net/55676/great-to-be-on-winning-end-this-time#commentsTue, 31 Mar 2015 15:43:20 +0000http://pba.inquirer.net/?p=55676

After having gone through being swept by Talk ‘N Text in the Commissioner’s Cup semifinals last year, Rain or Shine import Wayne Chism was just happy to score a win in the Final Four this time out.

“It was good because last year, I was 0-3. To take the first punch is great to feel,” he said.

And as the Elasto Painters take a 1-0 series lead over Meralco going into the Holy Week break, Chism was satisfied that his squad came together in the end game to score a 99-86 Game 1 victory.

“We just stayed together at the end of the game. They had great runs, but we stayed together as team, took care of the glass, and we came out with the win,” he explained.

Though he had 18 points, 14 rebounds, three assists, and three blocks, Chism said that he doesn’t mind taking a backseat to his teammates in the homestretch of the conference.

“I feel like my team can contribute. It’s a great thing for us in the playoffs because if we’re just going to rely on me, we won’t make it too far. If we rely on each other and help each other out, the team can go very far this conference,” Chism quipped,

All but one of the 15 men fielded in by coach Yeng Guiao was able to score, which translated to a 50-27 spread in bench points.

Chism also noted that the five-day break won’t stop him from going to the gym and grinding it out while the league is in a lull.

“I can’t dial it down. That’s something I can’t do for the team,” he said.

And as he waits for his next chance to take the court, Chism said that he expects all the emotions to come out in the next games against Meralco.

“The series is young. The first game, we just drew the first blood. Now, when it comes to the last two games, it’s gonna be a very long night,” he said. (RL)

It might be Holy Week, but abstaining from its winning ways is not in Rain or Shine’s schedule.

The Elasto Painters ran Meralco to the ground as they took Game 1 of their best-of-five semifinals series, 99-86, in the 2015 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Tuesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“We just broke away in the fourth quarter,” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao. “They kept close for three quarters and it’s our experience that gave us that advantage, being able to finish this game.”

Outscoring the Bolts, 25-15 in the payoff period, it was an all-around effort once again for the top-seed E-Painters.

Slow to get himself going in the first half, Wayne Chism got his touches in the final two quarters where he unloaded 14 of his team-high 18 points, to go with 14 rebounds, three assists, and three blocks.

“Wayne was not getting enough touches in the first half, but we tried to find a way to get him the ball in the second half,” Guiao said, as Paul Lee also added 14 markers in the winning effort.

The Rain or Shine freak train was in full swing on Tuesday, as the E-Painters outscored Meralco, 26-2 in fastbreak points, and also dominated them in the paint, 50-30.

Still trying to score in the final moments, Guiao said, “We had to work hard for the quotient,” stopping himself in mid-sentence before realizing, “Wala na bang quotient?”

The fiery Kapampangan coach had the luxury to hurl a joke as he and his wards go on a five-day Holy Week break owning a 1-0 edge before springing back to action on Easter Sunday.

“All that experience showed in the fourth, but it’s just the first game. It’s a good thing to be at the advantage but it’s far from over,” he said.

All but one of the 15 players Guiao fielded in managed to score at least two points, with the lone scoreless man being Jeff Chan who only played for five minutes.

“Jeff is not 100 percent. I had to take him out in the second quarter because he was feeling some pain in his legs,” said Guiao.

Aside from a possible injury on Chan, Guiao is also wary of the extended break, as it would allow coach Norman Black to plot ways to equalize the series once Game 2 rolls on.

“We have a long break before Sunday and they can make the adjustments they need to make. That’s enough time for them to prepare,” Guiao said. “Those are the factors that can become the determining factors in this series. But it’s a good thing that we were able to gain our momentum offense-wise.”

Gary David finished with 14 points for Meralco, as Cliff Hodge and Sean Anthony both got 13.

Josh Davis was able to get his usual double-double of 11 points and 15 rebounds. However, turnovers doomed the Bolts as Rain or Shine got 22 points off of their 18 turnovers, against just nine for Meralco. (RL)

A new day dawns on Barangay Ginebra San Miguel as multi-titled coach Frankie Lim is set to take the reins over the struggling Kings.

Named as the new chief bench tactician for the crowd darlings, Lim, a four-time NCAA champion coach with the San Beda Red Lions, will bring his undeniable swagger and grind-it-out style of coaching to Ginebra.

Coincidentally, Lim will be replacing Ato Agustin, the man who handed him his only defeat in an NCAA championship series when the latter was still calling the shots for San Sebastian in the collegiate level back in 2009.

San Miguel group executive Robert Non already praised Lim when he took an assistant coaching job with Ginebra prior to the Commissioner’s Cup.

“He will bring a lot to the table. He’s a champion coach, and I’m sure he will be of big help for Ginebra,” he said back then.

Lim joined the coaching staff after Agustin was re-appointed as the head coach for the second conference, replacing Jeffrey Cariaso.

Though he has yet to issue a statement as new head coach, Lim previously stated that he sees a lot of potential in this Ginebra team.

“This team is good, but not yet great. I think we have the makings to be great. We just need direction,” he said in a previous interview.

Ginebra has not won a championship since the 2008 Fiesta Conference, and has juggled through Siot Tanquingcen, now-alternate governor Alfrancis Chua, Agustin, and Cariaso as its head coach since the departure of longtime mentor and now-Talk ‘N Text coach Jong Uichico back in 2012. (RL)

The Kings shipped seldom-used Dylan Ababou and James Forrester for Barako Bull’s first round pick in the 2015 Draft, in time for coach Frankie Lim’s ascent come the season-ending Governors’ Cup.

Ababou, a former member of the first incarnation of the Smart Gilas national team, has suffered from numerous setbacks, including two ACL injuries during his time with Ginebra.

The ex-UST Growling Tiger has played only 24 minutes in five games for the Gin Kings in the Commissioner’s Cup, and this trade will send him back to the Energy, where he played for a conference in his rookie season.

Forrester, meanwhile, may find the break he didn’t get in Ginebra after only figuring in 17 games for the Kings since he was taken fourth overall in the 2013 Draft.

The former Arellano Chief struggled to find his niche in a loaded Ginebra backcourt, and a knee injury also didn’t help his cause as he languished at the end of the bench.

Barako Bull coach Koy Banal seems satisfied with the transaction, as he said, “They will give us outside arsenal and the stability on the defensive end. I know Dylan and James very well because they both played for me.”

“I will still go for the experience, the tried and tested, rather than the inexperience.” (RL)

Elimination round topnotcher and playoffs top seed Rain or Shine resumes its quest for a third PBA Finals appearance in the last four conferences when it takes on No. 5-ranked Meralco at the start of their best-of-five semifinal in the Commissioner’s Cup playoffs.

Fresh from a 92-91 elimination of crowd-favorite Barangay Ginebra in a controversial but legit win last Saturday at the MOA Arena, the Elasto Painters take on the Bolts in the 7:00 p.m. lone game Tuesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Meralco is coming off a sweep of NLEX in their best-of-three quarterfinal last Sunday which the Bolts clinched via a 91-85 overtime win, after battling back from deficits of as much as 20 in the third period and 14 in the payoff canto.

It was the first time in franchise history Meralco won a best-of-three playoff series after having lost its previous six, the last three in the Commissioner’s Cup from 2012 to 2014 where the Bolts took 1-0 leads in a best-of-three quarterfinal each time.

Both teams are squaring off in the conference playoffs for the second straight time in the Commissioner’s Cup.

In last season’s tourney, Rain or Shine eliminated Meralco in a best-of-three quarterfinal despite losing the series opener.

But the Elasto Painters were swept in the best-of-five semifinals by Talk ‘N Text which was then being handled by Norman Black, who is now Meralco head coach.

Black’s Rain or Shine counterpart Yeng Guiao believes if his team has any advantage over Meralco, it’s only because they have been playing together as a team longer than the Bolts.

“We are just an experienced team but we’re not as talented as Meralco,” Guiao said after their win over the Kings.

Rain or Shine, which won the championship the last time it topped the elims (in the 2012 Governors Cup), is in a sixth straight Final 4 appearance and seventh in the last eight conferences.

“We have to have a very good effort from our import and our (local) players. We know how strong Rain or Shine is. It’s gonna be tough for us,” said Black, whose team is reeling from the loss of Jared Dillinger who injured his knee in Game 1 of the quarterfinals against NLEX and is doubtful to see action in the semis.

Meralco won its elimination round meeting against Rain or Shine 92-87 last Feb. 10 with the Bolts battling back from a 13-point fourth quarter deficit. But the Elasto Painters still had Rick Jackson as import then. (FM)

For coach Koy Banal, Barako Bull reaching the Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals is already an achievement considering the manpower he had to work with.

“With that kind of lineup, we’re thankful na we got to the quarters,” he said. “Thankful kami na naging competitive, but we can’t be contented with this because if we do, we will not grow.”

As much as the Energy want to prepare early for the Governors’ Cup, Banal’s plans might take a hit with the uncertainty of Solomon Alabi’s status with Barako Bull.

“It will depend on him. His fiancé is pregnant and she’s going to give birth on May. We’re not sure if Solo is ready, not just physically, but mentally. We’ll see,” said Banal.

The 7-foot-1 Nigerian averaged 23.7 points, 19.5 rebounds, 3.7 blocks, 1.4 assists, and 1.4 steals in his stay with Barako Bull this second conference, and it might be hard for Banal and the rest of the Energy management to find a replacement for Alabi in the third conference.

Barako Bull can sign an import with no height restrictions and the soft-spoken coach said that they are still considering their options. However, getting an Asian reinforcement isn’t one of those.

“Right now, I believe it will be good if we’ll have an Asian import, but ang kailangan namin yung stretch four and the 6-foot-3 limit might not help us with that,” said Banal. “I’m not sold on the idea. I think our locals can compete naman eh. Gusto ko rin mabigyan ng breaks yung mga locals.” (RL)

PUREFOODS Star’s resurgence in the Commissioner’s Cup has a lot to do with import Denzel Bowles’ outstanding plays.

However, one can’t overlook the fact that underrated players like Joe Devance and playmaker Mark Barroca are making a difference too, particularly during the playoffs.

The 6-foot-7 Devance may not be athletic or as quick as other wingmen, but his veteran smarts and deep understanding of the triangle offense has made him a valuable asset for the Hotshots, who are looking to retain their Commissioner’s Cup title.

The left-handed Devance averaged 13.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists in Purefoods Star’s two-game sweep of Alaska in their best-of-three quarterfinal series to help the Hotshots reach the Final Four.

The 2008 top rookie pick by Welcoat (now Rain or Shine) played a big role in Purefoods Star’s 120-86 whipping of Alaska in the series-opener, putting up near triple-double numbers of 10 points, eight assists and seven rebounds.

The 32-year-old Devance sustained his fiery form from there, firing 16 points, grabbing four rebounds, issuing three assists and adding two blocks to help the Hotshots to a 96-89 win in Game Two and complete the clean sweep of the first round of the playoffs.

“We’re mentally prepared and mentally focused (this conference). We haven’t been a no. 3 seed or the top team (in the playoffs) in a long time, so that shows you we’re pretty focused right now,” said Devance, a standout from the University of Texas, El Paso.

On the other hand, Barroca’s contributions to Purefoods Star was equally important due to his ability to score in bunches, while being noted for his tireless effort on the defensive end.

The 5-foot-10 Barroca, the 2014 Philippine Cup Finals MVP, averaged 14 points, four rebounds and three assists against the Aces, providing the backcourt stability for a Hotshots side, that has dominated the league last season after scoring the franchise’s very first grand slam title.

Devance’s and Barroca’s solid plays in the series earned them the Accel-PBA Press Corps Player of the Week honors for the period of March 23-29.

Purefoods Star hopes to ride on the momentum of its outstanding quarterfinal showing on Wednesday when it plays arch nemesis Talk ‘N Text in a best-of-five semifinal series. (RD)

]]>http://pba.inquirer.net/55633/making-a-difference/feed0COMPTON NOT SATISFIED, BUT HAPPY TO SEE ACES’ CHARACTERhttp://pba.inquirer.net/55626/compton-not-satisfied-but-happy-to-see-aces-character
http://pba.inquirer.net/55626/compton-not-satisfied-but-happy-to-see-aces-character#commentsMon, 30 Mar 2015 04:25:01 +0000http://pba.inquirer.net/?p=55626Alaska coach Alex Compton didn’t hide his disappointment on the conference that was for the Aces.

“It was a tough one for us. There were lots of ups and downs,” he said. “It was really tough coming off of the Finals. If you looked at us and San Miguel, both teams struggled this conference. Even though we lost this game, I was proud of the heart that our guys showed to the final buzzer. We were down by seven, but we were still trying to make shots to go for the miracle. That’s heart.”

But despite the quarterfinal exit, Compton was happy with how his team is faring through two conferences this season.

“I think any time you lose it hurts, so I think the thing I always want to see is character in the pursuit of excellence,” he said. “I was just happy that our guys just didn’t give up. It’s weird to express any happiness after a loss. We’re not satisfied, it’s not good enough. It won’t be good enough until we win a championship, but character in the pursuit of excellence is what we aim for all the time. I thought the guys showed that today.”

Looking forward to the Governors’ Cup, Compton said that the management is already in discussion on to whom they will field as import in the season-ending conference.

“We always have a list of names but we don’t have one name yet. We’re looking at a bunch of guys. Some guys just honestly cost too much,” he said, even kidding that NBAMVP contender Russell Westbrook is on their radar.

“We’re looking for a buyout. But I don’t think (team owner) Fred (Uytengsu) could do that.”

But in all seriousness, the Alaska camp is still pondering if they would employ an Asian reinforcement to go with their prospective import, who could only go up as high as 6-foot-5.

“We’ll visit that over this break. We’ll take about that with the management and coaches and see what direction we’ll head in.” (RL)